Bauman: Education depends on choice

COEUR d'ALENE - Trustees were joined by about 200 people at Lake City High School Monday night for a workshop about the Coeur d'Alene School District's "Schools of Choice."

Superintendent Hazel Bauman said the district is responding to parents' demand for other options in education. She discussed the merits of having schools of choice, or magnet schools, that offer the state's standard curriculums with a unique focus.

"We believe that in fact, the very survival of public education in America is dependent upon choice," Bauman said.

If the district does not offer choices, Bauman said parents will take their children and leave the public education system.

"When families decide that they would rather have their child go to a private school that emphasizes science, or a private school or charter school that emphasizes college prep, we lose revenue in that endeavor, and over time, that becomes untenable and unsustainable," Bauman said.

By offering choices, the district is able to better provide equal opportunities for students living in poverty, she said.

The choices offered by charter and private schools are not always in reach of lower income students, Bauman said, and more heavily populated by upper middle and middle class students.

"When a public school becomes a school of choice, all the children from all the walks of life have access to those particular programs," she said.

The response to the district's existing schools of choice has already been positive, Bauman said. She pointed to the number of students who don't live within the district's boundaries, but who choose to attend Coeur d'Alene schools.

Of the 190 out-of-district students enrolled,165 of them attend one of the seven schools of choice.

"That is telling you that they are in fact a magnet, that they pull in kids from other districts, from other parts of the county, even from other parts of the state," Bauman said.

The students who transfer into district schools, bring with them $912,000 in state funding. For the most part, Bauman said, the students are filling open classroom seats and do not require additional staffing.

Schools of Choice provide a "competitive edge" for the district, Bauman said.

"It's political reality. The charter schools are not going away. Online schools are not going away," Bauman said.

If the district fails to respond, Bauman said enrollment and revenues will continue to decline and limit the district's ability to offer elective and activity programs for all students.

Bauman said another benefit of schools of choice is that they generate non-taxpayer dollars through fundraising efforts by supportive, enthusiastic parents and by broadening grant opportunities.

Monday's workshop featured presentations by the principals of the district's seven schools of choice: Coeur d'Alene High School (Advanced Placement), Lake City High School (IB), Lakes Magnet Middle (health and science), Sorensen Magnet School for the Arts and Humanities; Ramsey Elementary (science), Project CDA/Bridge Academy (alternative) and Hayden Meadows (IB's PYP).

The IB (International Baccalaureate) programs at Lake City High School and Hayden Meadows have been the focus of recent controversy.

Critics claim the internationally focused teaching method should be removed from schools because it promotes anti-American directives and is connected with the UN.

"This program emphasizes that developing an understanding of one's own culture, national identity and history is first and foremost," said Lisa Pica, principal at Hayden Meadows where the IB's elementary school program is offered. "If nothing else, our scores speak for themselves. All of our ISAT (Idaho Standards Achievement Test) scores are above the state standard."

Public comments were accepted in writing during the workshop. They will be presented to trustees at their regular monthly meeting June 7.